Fashion, heritage and craftsmanship take centre stage as four African designers reinterpret the iconic Cape Town hotel’s gardens through contemporary slow fashion.
The Mount Nelson, A Belmond Hotel, is preparing to celebrate the intersection of fashion, food and African creativity with the fifth edition of CONFECTIONS X COLLECTIONS (CxC), returning from 5 to 7 November 2026.
Co-curated with sustainability platform Twyg, the annual showcase pairs the hotel’s signature afternoon tea creations with collections by visionary designers, creating an immersive experience that explores the stories, traditions and craftsmanship shaping contemporary African fashion.
This year, the hotel’s celebrated gardens provide the inspiration, with four designers drawing on nature, heritage and identity to reinterpret familiar traditions through distinctive silhouettes, materials and techniques.
Four designers, four perspectives
Sevaria
Founded by Nairobi-based designer Jamie Kimani, Sevaria explores East African cultural histories through expressive, gender-fluid fashion. Combining tailoring with fluid draping, the label draws inspiration from Maasai, Samburu, Dinka and Surma cultures, translating traditional markings, handwoven textiles and adornment into contemporary designs. Kimani also works with discarded fabrics sourced from second-hand markets, transforming reclaimed materials into distinctive pieces.
Onesimo Bam
Cape Town-based Onesimo Bam brings fashion, surface design and performance together through sculptural garments crafted from natural fibres. His cocoon-like, size-agnostic designs explore volume and movement, allowing the body to shape the clothing. Informed by his Eastern Cape upbringing, Bam approaches fashion as a collaborative practice that connects people through feeling, memory and shared experience. His latest collection earned him the 2026 Africa International Design Award for Avant-Garde Fashion.
Haus of Stone
Founded by Zimbabwean designer, textile artist and visual storyteller Danayi Madondo, Haus of Stone celebrates Zimbabwean culture through handcraft, texture and regenerative design. Based in Harare, the label explores memory, spirituality and heritage, treating garments as living archives of history and knowledge. Madondo’s work brings traditional craftsmanship into a contemporary fashion context, with the brand having showcased internationally through the British Council’s Creative DNA programmes.
Wanda Lephoto
Returning to CxC for the third time, Johannesburg-based designer Wanda Lephoto explores the relationship between clothing, cultural inheritance and sustainability. Drawing on family photographs, church dress, street culture and everyday South African life, his collections challenge narrow interpretations of African design. For Lephoto, garments are pieces to be treasured, cared for and passed down, with each collection reflecting the histories and personal narratives woven into what we wear.
A wonderland in bloom
Spanning nine acres, the Mount Nelson gardens provide a fitting backdrop for this year’s showcase. From the palm-lined driveway and rose-fringed lawns to fountains, winding paths and established trees, the grounds offer a rich tapestry of natural beauty and heritage.
The setting becomes an integral part of the experience, with each designer responding to the landscape through their own creative lens. Contemporary fashion, art and craftsmanship come together in a celebration of African talent and the enduring appeal of considered design.
Alongside each showcase, guests can enjoy a botanical-inspired afternoon tea created by Executive Pastry Chef Vicky Gurovich, with confections designed to complement the featured collections.
5 November 2026, 16:00 to 18:30: Sevaria and Onesimo Bam
6 November 2026, 17:00 to 19:35: Haus of Stone
7 November 2026, 17:00 to 19:35: Wanda Lephoto
Tickets are priced at R1,450 per show and can be booked through the Mount Nelson events booking platform.
Blending thoughtful fashion with culinary artistry in one of Cape Town’s most iconic settings, CONFECTIONS X COLLECTIONS continues to champion African creativity while inviting guests to look beyond the finished garment and discover the heritage, hands and stories behind it.
For reservations or more information on Mount Nelson contact 021 483 1000
or email restaurantreservations.mnh@belmond.com